Improvement in reclining-ch airs



G. A. DOELLINGER.

Reclining-Chair.

Patented Dec. 30, 1879'.

NVPEYERS. PHOYO-UTMOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. n C

UNITED TATEs PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVUS A. DOELLINGER, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN RECLlNlNG-CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,120, dated December30, 1872); application filed August 6, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAVUS A. DOELLIN- GER, of Rock Island, in thecounty of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented a new andvaluable Improvement in Reclining- Chairs; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of theconstruction and operation of the same, ref erence beinghad to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a rear perspective viewof, my improved chair. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the back indotted lines in a reclining position. Fig. 3 is a detail view of thesupport-bar and slotted spring.

The object of this invention is to simplify and eheapen the manufactureof reclining or easy chairs of that class having means for increasing ordecreasing the inclination of the back; and the main object is to bringthe operating means, located in rear of the chair, within easy reach ofthe occupant while seated in the chair, so that the back of the chaircan be manipulated.

The improvements, therefore, consist in a single vertical bar pivoted orconnected to a cross-bar arranged between the hind legs of theseat-frame and provided with a transverse bar, with cams arranged uponsaid transverse bar at a point in line, or nearly so, with thechair-seat, so as to be within easy reach of the occupant; also, incombination with the foregoing, a slotted flat spring, or itsequivalent, attached to the cross-bar of the seat-frame and engagingwith a pin on the vertical bar, so as to keep the said bar in contactwith the rackbar attached to the rear surface of the back; also, in thenovel construction and arrangement of the parts, as will be hereinaftermore fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, forming a part of this specification, theletter A represents the back, hinged at its lower end to the rear end ofthe seat-frame B, substantially as shownin Fig. 1 of the drawings. Thisseat-frame is provided with a cross-bar or stretcher, 0, secured betweenthe hind legs, and to the upper surface of which is hinged the verticalbrace or prop D, located at the middle, between the legs, engaging witha ratchet-bar, F, suitably attached near the lower end of thechair-back. This ratchetbar is intended to be embedded in the back ofthe chair, so that the teeth only shall protrude to receive theverticahbar or brace.

The saw-shaped teeth a. of the rack-bar F have their beveled portionsextending down ward, so as to afford a substantial projecting"bearing-surface, b, for the upper end of the bar D, and at the same timepresent a gradual incline for the rod to easily descend as adjusted fromspace to space.

E represents a flat spring, bolted or otherwise fastened at its lowerend to the inner surface of the cross-bar 0, (see Fig. 3,) so as not tobe visible from a casual inspection and to be out of the way. The upperend of this spring is provided with an oblong slot, 0, through which ispassed a pin, screw, or bolt, d, fastened to theinner side of thesupportbar.

By this means and connection the upper part of the spring E andsupport-bar D are held together and in upright, or nearly upright,position. The oblong slot 0 in spring E allows sufficient play forsupport-bar to be pushed back or disengaged, and permits the springE tod raw forward the support-bar D for engagement with the ratchet-teeth onthe back of the chair.

In lieu of the slotted spring E, a rubber strap connected with thesupport-bar D and attached to the under side of the seat may beemployed, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, or both may be usedtogether.

The support-bar D is provided with a transverse bar, H, secured near theupper end thereof, and in line, or nearly so, with the chairseat, withineasy reach of the occupant of the chair. At the outer ends of the bar Hare ar ranged combined cams and handles I, of the shape substantially asshown. These cams and levers or handles I are so arranged that thesurfaces of the cam portion 5 come in 0011- tact with the timber framesof the back of the chair, and the handles on project in the direction ofthe arms of the chair and are easy of access to the occupant.

It will be observed that when the vertical bar D is in contact with therack, which is fixed to the center of the back of the chair, the calmsurfaces of the device I are brought against the outer under edges ofthe chair-back, acting as supports, and at the same time preventing anytwisting or depression of the chair-back.

The side arms, K, are pivoted to the hingeback and to the pivoted armsL, attached to the seat-frame. By these mechanical means and connectionsthe chair-back can be tilted at any desired angle by the occupant whilein the seat, thus enabling him to assume the desired inclined orrecumbent posture.

The chair-back is moved backward and forward in the following; manner:The occupant sitting in the chair, desiring a different and morecomfortable posture, throws his hands backward, grasping the handles atthe ends of the crossbar within reach, and by pulling upward with hishand the cams are broughtinto action, and the support is released fromits engagement with the raclvbar, the back drops the distance of one ormore teeth or spaces, and the support engages with the next or upperspace to sustain the chair-back in the new position.

In order to raise the chair-back to a different inclination it is onlynecessary to pull or move the side arms of the chair forward.

It will be observed by reference to the drawings that only one verticalbar or prop, one spring, and one rack are employed, and that thevertical bar is released from engagement with the rack through thepositive action of the transversebar and its cams.

This new organization of parts for adjusting the inclination of the backsimplifies as well as materially cheapens the construct-ion of theeasy-chair.

What I'claim as my invention is 1. In a reclining-chair, thecombination, with a hinged back having a suitable rack located in itsrear surface, of a hinged supporting-bar provided near its upper endwith a transverse bar carrying combined cams and handles, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a chair having a reclining back with acentrallyarranged rack, the vertical single bar 1), pivoted centrally toa cross-bar, 0, arranged between the hind legs of the seat-frame, andprovided near its upper end with the transverse barH, in line, or nearlyso, with the chair-seat, and the combined handles and cams I, arrangedon opposite sides of the reclinin back, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

3." The improved reclining or easy chair consisting of the neworganization, to wit: the seat-frame B, hinged back A, with rack F,cross-bar 0, vertical bar I), with slotted spring E, transverse bar H,and combined cams and handles I, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GUSTAVUS A. DOELLINGER.

